Paloma was completed in 2016. The inspiration for the non-toxic nail salon was a response to the client's slogan "Escape to Beautiful". We were given the exciting opportunity to engage in developing a brand identity for this flagship store. Natural, non-toxic materials and textures combine with refined accents to create an atmosphere that prioritizes both a healthy escape and a luxurious experience. The details of the project are choreographed to render the hygienic components invisible and re-envision the salon as a retreat. This begins at the storefront, where signage is engineered to conceal the robust venting requirements imposed on nail salons. Instead, focus is directed to a floating bench that pulls from interior to exterior and inlaid entry tile with text clearly staging the intention of the brand.

Once inside, the reception and waiting area is designed to capture light and maintain connection to the vibrant shopping center. Custom steel shelves with polishes minimally displayed for customer selection are the only indication of activities occurring beyond. A delicate, brass and wood dowel veil stages the physical transition for the retreat, separating the entry and reception from the manicure and pedicure stations. Passing under the veil, the light dims and the colors warm to stage a new scene, revealing only glimpses of the outside world. The traditional salon booths and floor sinks are replaced by beautiful and comfortable chairs on raised wood platforms. The platform provides the ergonomic offset between technician and customer while celebrating the individual.

Paloma is organized around a central circulatory lane that draws customers in from the front of house back towards the workstations and separates one long communal platform from individually paired stations. Varying platform configurations provides unique orientations to focal points within the room while also offering conversational opportunities at facing chairs. Hidden platform storage, a minimal material palette, and custom, non-toxic furniture enforce escape from the busy urban life beyond.

Due to the historic and catastrophic effects of Hurricane Harvey on Houston, CONTENT will be closed for the remainder of the week. We plan to reopen next Tuesday, September 5th.

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The citizens of Houston and nearby towns have shown amazing resilience in the face of catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey. In the coming days, the floods will end and waters will recede, but Houston faces a long road to recovery. Here are a few ways you can support our great city:

If you need a place to stay or have extra space or property that you could make available for a temporary housing solution - AirBnB has created a great, simple platform for this. Houston properties are needed as we try to pull folks out of shelters and into better living conditions.

CONTENT is pleased to announce that our own Jesse Hager has been named the 2017 recipient of the Award for Young Professional Achievement in Honor of William W. Caudill FAIA. The award is given annually, recognizing a member for professional achievement in leadership development during the early years of practice. It is a great honor and recognition for our team as well as his parallel efforts with the University of Houston and the AIA. Jesse is pleased to be awarded alongside many mentors and friends.

Marcel has worked in architecture both in the office and on the job site. He began working in construction when he was 18 months old, then continued on to receive his Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University, where he was nominated for the Margaret Everson-Fossi Travel Fellowship. He has always been surrounded by architects, and is the fifth from his family in the field. He is interested in connecting communities to the development of their neighborhoods through contextually relevant and publicly driven design. Bridging the disconnect between individuals and their greater community development can create public advocacy for good design.

Previously, Marcel worked for Ennead Architects and Gensler. His design experience includes hospital master planning, flood mitigation planning, scientific laboratories, and high-rises. He also works as an archivist and preparator for artists including Sol LeWitt, Ben Butler, Bow Wow Atelier, and Elinor Evans.

The annual HoustonPaperCity Design Awards were announced last night. There were 291 entries, judged for design 18 categories. Judges included designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard from New York, architect Peter Pennoyer from New York, designer Katie Ridder from New York, and designer Mark D. Sikes from Los Angeles.

CONTENT's design for Paloma Nails, led by Eric Hughes and Gail Chen, was recognized as runner-up in the Retail Interior Design or Architectural Design Category!

Look for the October 2017 issue of PaperCity magazine for more on the winning projects.

This weekend, at AIA Houston's annual gala, Jesse Hager of CONTENT Architecture was awarded the Ben Brewer Award for Young Architects. Named in honor of Ben Brewer, FAIA, for distinguished service to the profession and his significant influence on young professionals - this award recognizes excellence in ability, exceptional work, and significant contributions in the practice of architecture by architects who are in their first 10 years of practice.

Since founding the firm in 2009, Jesse and the CONTENT team have completed over 50 architectural projects in three states. He currently serves on the AIA Houston Board of Directors and is Chair of the Small Firm Roundtable. With a passion for critical architectural exploration and thought, Jesse is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston and has taught design studios at UT-Austin and Prairie View A&M. He is a contributor to Texas Architects Magazine and serves on the TxA Publications Committee. All that, while being a fantastic father to two cute munchkins, we couldn't be more proud here at CONTENT.

Lonny recently listed the six best designed nail salons in the country and Houston's Paloma made the cut!

"When we think of beautiful modern interiors, images of Paloma instantly pop into our head. The Houston salon's womb chairs and pretty palette are just what we need for design inspiration. While the salon's design is tops, we also love founder Maryam Naderi’s commitment to creating a healthy non-toxic nail space."

This week, area Architecture schools wrapped up their semesters and held final studio reviews. CONTENT was honored to be guest critics at all three local institutions: Prairie View A&M, Rice University, and the University of Houston.

From the earliest days of human civilization, dwelling has been an elemental condition of architectural design and construction. As spaces are inhabited to shelter our lives and everyday objects, residential design continues to evolve within contemporary architectural practices. Through a curated selection of films addressing our relationships with intimate spaces, we are proud to present the 2016 Architecture Film Festival. Please join us as we explore the practice of dwelling-its poetry, theory, satire, romance, and experience-through the following films:

We've begun construction on Paloma, a chemical free nail salon set to open this fall at BLVD Place in Houston.

“The inspiration for Paloma comes from my time spent in various beauty spaces around the world during my years in the corporate world,” founder Maryam Naderi explains. “Paloma is founded on the belief that beauty and wellness can and should coexist.”

We're also excited for our partnership with HTX Made, who will be building custom, non-toxic furniture pieces here in Houston for the space.